Demountable pier structure



r a w? Aug. 31, 1954 F. s. NEWELL DEMOUNTABLE PIER STRUCTURE Filed April 14, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l y 0 a a ISnnentor F.5JVewe// M g M, M

attorney;

Aug. 31, 1954 Filed April 14, 1952 F. s. NEWELL 2,687,617

DEMOUNTABLE PIER STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snventor Iii/Yam Gttornegs Patented Aug. 31, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEMOUNTABLE PIER STRUCTURE Foster S. Newell, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application April 14, 1952, Serial No. 282,181

20 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a demountable pier structure and more particularly to a pier structure comprising multiple interconnected sections having means for interlockingly connecting said sections.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a light, demountable sectional pier for use primarily on inland waters and which may be erected in the spring and taken down in the fall for winter storage.

The invention consists in a pier structure comprising demountable pier sections having common cradle mountings by means of which the respective sections are interconnected and supported at their mating portions. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the respective cradle mountings have leg frames connected at an end of one section and alternatively positionable to extend past said end to provide a support for the adjacent end of the next succeeding section or to set back from the end of a particular section used as a terminal or outer section of a complete pier.

The respective pier sections may be detachably connected to the next preceding pier sections by means of novel easily engageable couplings which nest or cradle the section ends and which include pins seated obliquely to extend over elements of the section ends to lock the mating portions of adjacent pier sections.

The respective pier sections further comprise deck frames and removable decks which have novel gravity biased latches by means of which they may be removably fastened to the deck frames.

The invention further consists in a novel telescopic leg structure having adjusting means exposed at the top of the leg structure and by means of which the level of the pier may be ad.- justed from a manipulating position wholly out of the Water.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a demountable pier embodying the invention, two sections of the pier being illustrated in interlocked connection. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two interlocked sections of a demountable pier structure embodying the invention, the deck being removed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, with the deck removed, of a modified embodiment of the invention wherein an end of one pier section is adapted to interlock with the side of another pier section to form a T connection.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view, with the deck removed, of shore portions of a demountable section and its detachable mounting upon a concrete shore anchorage.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one of the spaced couplings between the pier sections shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line l---'! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the pier deck and deck latch.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of mating ends of adjacent pier sections showing the common cradle support and coupling of the pier sections to the cradle, portions of the rails of each deck frame being broken away to expose details of construction.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 10, portions of the cradle flange being broken away to expose details of the coupling construction.

Fig. 12 is an end view of a pier embodying the invention, one of the telescopic legs being broken away and shown in cross section, and an end rail of the deck frame being broken away to expose details of construction.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the pier comprises a series of substantially identical demountable pier sections l5 which individually comprise deck frames having side rails l6 and end rails H. The pier sections further comprise leg frames including telescopic legs I8 tied together by cross connecting pieces 19, 26 and X-members 22. The cross piece 26 carries cradles 20. The pier is completed by the addition of removable decks 2| clamped-to the deck frames.

The side rails [6 of the deck frames comprise angle irons having their angle uppermost as viewed in the drawings, and the end rails I! comprise angle irons having their angle lowermost as viewed in the drawings. The respective end and side rails are desirably welded at the corners of the deck frame to rigidify the deck frame structure.

The respective side rails l6 of the deck frames are provided near corresponding ends with longitudinally spaced laterally aligned apertures 24 .and 25 which provide bearings in which the leg frame structure may be journaled for movement between pier erected position and collapsed position against the deck frame. For this purpose, the leg frames are provided with top cradles comprising fiat plates 27 securely fastened, as

by welding as shown in Fig. 11, to the upper leg of the cross piece 26. The plates 21 are provided with marginal flanges 28 and pivots or pintle bolts 29 engaged in one or the other sets of deck frame apertures 24, 25. As best shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the marginal flanges 28 of plates 21 extend beyond the rear edge of the plates to provide clearance to permit the leg frame to be folded against the deck frame by swinging it on its pivot 29 to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 11.

In their operative or erected positions the leg frames fully support the ends of the deck frame to which they are pivotally connected. When pivoted to the innermost deck frame apertures 24 the leg frames support only the section to which they are attached. \Nhen pivoted to the outermost deck frame apertures 25 the cradle plates 21 will extend beyond the end rails 11 of the deck frame to provide a support for the inner end of the next succeeding deck frame. Accordingly, in this position, the leg frames provide common mountings for the mating ends of adjacent demountable pier sections.

Connection of one pier section to another is accomplished by means of a simple coupling comprising upwardly extending guide lugs 39 having mounting portions 3| rigidly mounted, as by welding, or by the rivets 32 shown in Fig. 11, to the plate 21. The upward projection of the guide lug 36 is at an oblique angle with the plate to assist the nesting of the end rail 11 of one section between the guide and the end rail 11 of the other section. The base of the guides 30, and the plate 21, are provided with aligned apertures 33 and 34 which receive a pin 31 having a head or hook 38 to limit the insertion of the pin into the aligned apertures. When seated in the aligned apertures the pin 31 is disposed at an oblique angle to the plate 21 and its headed portion 38 extends over the end rail 11 to lock it vertically in nested position.

The rail 11 of the section to which the leg frame it pivoted is provided with spacing buttons 39 which locate and define the abutting position of the nested rail 11 of the next succeeding section. The nested rail l1 fits snugly between the buttons 39 and guide 38 but, upon removal of pins 31 from their seats, the rail 11 may be readily lifted for removal. In coupled position lateral movement of the nested rail is restrained as it is cradled between the opposed marginal flanges 28 of the respective plates 21. Accordingly, in coupled position the deck frames are positively interlocked.

Shore anchoring of the pier is accomplished in substantially the same manner as hereinbefore described, except that the cradle upon which rests the inner end of the demountable pier section closest the shore is modified somewhat. As best shown in Figs. 4 and the concrete shore abutment 40 is provided with a step 4| having an embedded bolt 42 to which plates are connected. The plates have an upturned marginal end flange 46 and couplings including guides 41 have mounting portions welded, as at -49, or otherwise securely mounted, to the plates.

The construction of the guides 41 and their connection to the plates 45 provides for much the same type of coupling as that described in connection with the embodiment of Figs. and 11. Pins 56 having heads 51 are obliquely seated in aligned apertures 52 and 53 in the guides and plates respectively, to confine vertical movement of the nested rail 11. The concrete step 41 is provided with a dimple or depression 56 to accommodate the lower end of the pin 50 which projects through the plate 45. In this embodiment of the invention the guides 41 are spaced from the end flanges 46 of the plates sufficiently to nest the rail I1. The end margin 46 of the plate 45 and the guide 41 are, however, mutually divergent in an upward direction whereby to facilitate movement of the rail 11 to and from its seat. Lateral movement of the pier section is confined by the abutment of the side margins of the guides 41 with the side rails I6 of the pier section.

A modified cradle coupling is shown in Figs. 6 and '7. This coupling is adapted to T connect the end of one deck frame to the side rail of another deck frame, as shown in Fig. 3. For this purpose the crwles are modified to omit the guide 30, shown in Fig. 11. In the modified embodiment the cradle plate 51 may be narrower than the one shown in Fig. 11. The plates 51 have side margins 61 upwardly notched at 62 to seat the side rail 16 of the cross deck section. The plates 51 are further provided with outwardly opening notches 58 to accommodate angle bolts having shanks 59 and wing nuts 60 seated in the notches 58. The bolts 59 have their heads $3 connected to the side rail 16 through apertures 64 in the rail 16. The rail 16 is further provided with abutments or stops 65 which abut the side flanges 65 of the plates 51 to locate the respective apertures 64 above the respective notches 58 and restrain lateral shifting of the interconnected sections.

In the embodiment of Figs. 3, 6 and 'l the plates '51 also constitute common cradle mountings upon which the respective interconnected piers are commonly supported. Simple manipulation of the wing nuts 60 is all that is needed to mount and demount the piers.

As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the deck 2! may comprise laterally spaced deck boards 61 nailed to side margin cleats 68. The decks may be made in sections corresponding in size to the deck frames and removably clamped thereto with the cleats 68 embracing the side rails 16 of the deck frames. The decks are provided with one or more latches inwardly spaced from the cleats 63 on pivots 69. In the embodiment illustrated the pivots span adjacent boards 61 and a gravity biased latch 10 having a mouth 1| and a jaw 12 is swingable between the boards. As best shown in Fig. 9 the latch 10 may be swung between an engaged position where the jaw 12 embraces the upper leg of the rail 16 to lock the deck to the deck frame, and a released position in which the latch 10 is swung through to rest upon the cleat 68.

For this purpose the pivot 69 should be disposed in substantial vertical alignment with the inner edge of the top rail 16 in order that the latch properly engages the rail. Accordingly, the pivot 66 is inwardly spaced from the cleat 68 a distance substantially equal to the width of the top leg of the rail 16. When engaged the weight of the latch 10 is oiiset from the pivot 69 to gravity bias the jaw 12 into tight connection with the upper leg of the rail 16. Accordingly, and by reason of its self bias, the coupling will not tend to become loose and is not subject to accidental release. A tight vibrationless connection is thereby provided.

As best shown in Fig. 12 the telescopic legs comprise inner members 15 and outer members 16. The inner members are provided with 5.. threaded end plugs T! to receive the threaded portion of adjusting bolts 18 having exposed heads 19 and thrust receiving collars 8B spaced from the heads and in thrust receiving relationship to an end disk 8| of the outer tube 16 which receives the weight of the pier directly from the leg frame. The outer members'l'fi are connected by means of the brackets 82 to the cross member 26, the top of which rests directly on the members 16.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the respective telescopic leg members are positioned outwardly of the cradle members 21, 28 so that the heads 19 of the bolts 18 will be exposed. Accordingly, a person positioned on the deck 2!, and completely out of the water, may easily manipulate the bolts 19 to level the pier. The bottoms of the inner leg sections 15 are provided with shoes 85 to provide a firm footing for the pier.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is seen that a very quickly and simply mounted and demounted pier is provided. The pier is characterized by individual sections having leg mountings with support cradles which may support the mating ends of adjacent pier sections. The respective cradles are provided with rapidly engageable and disengageable couplings by means of which the respective pier sections may be connected or disconnected from the cradles. The telescopic leg structure with the exposed adjusting bolts permits the pier to be leveled from a, manipulating position on the deck, and the novel deck lock structure provides for the ready removal of the deck sections from the deck frames.

I claim:

1. A pier structure comprising multiple interconnected pier sections, said sections comprising deck frames having side rails and legs, said legs being connected to the respective deck frames at corresponding ends thereof and comprising cradle portions complementary to the side rails of said deck frames and providing common support seats for the respective deck frames to which they are connected and adjacent deck frames.

2. A pier structure comprising multiple interconnected pier sections, said sections comprising deck frames having side rails and legs, said legs being connected to the respective deck frames at corresponding ends thereof and comprising cradle portions providing common sup port seats for the respective deck frames to which they are connected and adjacent deck frames, the respective legs being disposed in pairs and connected by framing elements comprising the said cradle portions, said cradles comprising angle pieces including a horizontal flange on which the deck frame side rail is supported, and a vertical flange having a pivot on which the leg is pivotally connected to the respective deck frames whereby to be swingable between a storage position against the deck frames and an erected position substantially normal to the deck frames.

3. A pier structure comprising multiple interconnected pier sections, said sections comprising deck frames and legs, said legs being connected to the respective deck frames at corresponding ends thereof and comprising cradle portions providing common support seats for the respective deck frames to which they are connected and adjacent deck frames, the respective legs being disposed in pairs and connected by framing elements comprising the said cradle portions, said frames being pivotally connected to the respective deck frames whereby to be swingable between a stor-' age position against the deck frames and ancradles project outwardly from the deck frames to provide a seat for the next succeeding deck frame, and to a position in which the cradles are retracted to provide a seat only for the deck frame to which they are pivotally connected.

4. A demountable pier section comprising a deck frame and a leg frame pivotally connected to the deck frame at an end thereof, said leg frame comprising legs, members cross-connecting said legs and cradles having seat portions for the support of the said deck frame, said leg frame having a connection with the deck frame on which the cradles project outwardly from the end of said deck section to provide a support for a next succeeding deck frame; said cradles being provided with means for coupling the cradles to said next succeeding deck frame, said coupling comprising a removable pin having an oblique mounting in said cradle whereby said pin may be interlockingly connected with an element of the next succeeding deck frame.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the oblique mounting for the pin comprises a guide disposed at an angle to said cradle and a pin aperture in said guide. 1,

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the deck frame is provided with an end rail disposed over said cradles, said end rail being spaced from said. guides and constituting together with said guides a saddle within which said next succeeding deck frame is cradled.

7. A pier support cradle comprising a plate, a flange at one side of the plate, a guide element upwardly projecting from said plate, said guide and plate having aligned apertures oblique to the plate, and a pin engageable in said apertures to upwardly project from said plate at an angle to the guide.

8. A demountable pier section comprising a deck frame having side rails and a leg frame comprising a cradle having a first seat for said deck section and projecting beyond said deck section to provide a second seat for a next succeeding deck section having side rails, said cradle being provided with a vertical flange extending beyond the side rail of the next succeeding deck section and having an upwardly opening notch constituting said second seat to receive the side rail of said next succeeding deck section at a point spaced inwardly from the end of said flange, said cradle further comprising a horizontal plate having coupling means for receiving a bolt connected with the said next succeeding deck section.

,9. A coupling for connecting one section of a pier to the next succeeding section of the pier, said coupling comprising a horizontal plate having a vertical side flange with a notch opening upwardly, said plate having a notch opening outwardly from the side of the plate opposite the vertical side flange.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the next succeeding pier section comprises a member engageable in said upwardly opening notch and provided with a positioning element laterally abut- 7. ting said vertical flange, and a bolt connected with said member and having a portion engageable in said outwardly opening notch of the plate.

11. A leg frame structure for a pier, said structure comprising a cross member and posts at the ends of said member, each said post comprising inner and outer telescopically related leg elements, the inner of said leg elements being provided with a threaded coupling, and the outer of said elements being provided with a thrust bearing, and a bolt seated for rotation on its axis in said bearing and having a threaded connection with the threaded coupling on the inner member, the bolt having a thrust collar engaged with the thrust bearing and an exposed head whereby manipulation of said head will retract or advance said inner member respecting the outer said member, and means for connecting the posts to the cross member for the adjustable support thereof.

12. A removable pier deck comprising laterally spaced adjacent deck elements and a deck latch having a mounting spanning adjacent deck elements and upon which it is pivotal in a plane between said deck elements, said latch upon said mounting having a jaw engageable with an underlying deck frame member when the latch is pivoted to a position in which it is acted upon by gravity.

13. In a device of the character described and including a deck frame and a deck removably connected to said frame, a gravity biased deck latch comprising a jaw member pivotally mounted on'said deck and swingable on said mounting between a retracted position and a position in which the jaw engages a portion of the deck frame, the latch pivot being offset from the center of gravity of the latch whereby the latch is acted upon by gravity in its engaged position to tend to tighten said connection.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said deck comprises mutually spaced deck boards and marginal cleats connecting said boards, said deck frame comprising a marginal rail against which a deck margin cleat is disposed in the mounted position of the deck, said gravity biased latch being pivotally mounted between adjacent boards and upon an axis inwardly spaced from said cleat whereby said axis is aligned with an edge of said rail.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said latch is longer than the rail is wide whereby upon pivoting said latch to retracted position it will be supported by said cleat out of engagement with said rail.

16. A pier structure comprising a plurality of interconnected pier sections, said sections comprising deck frames, leg frames and removable decks clampingly mounted upon said frames, said legs comprising cradles mounted at corresponding ends of the deck frames and projecting beyond said deck frames to constitute a common support for the deck frame to which it is attached and for the next succeeding deck frame, said legs comprising adjustable members having an adjusting means disposed adjacent said cradles and. exposed for manipulation.

17. The structure of claim 16 wherein said legs comprise inner and outer telescopic members, said adjusting means comprising a bolt in thrust bearing relation to one of said members and threaded to the other of said members, said leg frame having a pivotal connection to said deck frame upon which the leg is swingable between a folded position against the frame and an erected position substantially normal to said frame.

18. A pier structure comprising a plurality of interconnected pier sections, said sections comprising deck frames, leg frames and removable decks clampingly mounted upon said frames, said legs comprising cradles mounted at corresponding ends of the deck frames and projecting beyond said deck frames to constitute a common support for the deck frame to which it is attached and for the next succeeding deck frame, said legs comprising adjustable members having an adjusting means disposed adjacent said cradles and exposed for manipulation, said legs comprising inner and outer telescopic members, said adjusting means comprising a bolt in thrust bearing relation to one of said members and threaded to the other of said members, said leg frame having a pivotal connection to said deck frame upon which the leg is swingable between a folded. position against the frame and an erected position substantially normal to said frame, said cradle further comprising a coupling means adapted for interlocking connection with the next succeeding deck frame, said coupling comprising a guide member upwardly projecting from said cradle and a pin obliquely inclined to said cradle and having an apertured mounting in said guide.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said deck comprises deck boards and a latch having a pivotal mounting on said deck, said latch comprising a jaw and a weight off set from said pivot whereby said latch may be pivoted to engage the jaw with an element of the deck frame, the weight being disposed to bias said jaw toward said engagement.

20. In a device of the character described, a shore anchorage for a pier structure having an end rail, said anchorage comprising a plate having an upturned end flange and an upwardly projecting guide spaced from said flange whereby to receive said rail in nested position between said flange and guide, and a pin, an apertured mounting in said guide in which the pin is obliquely inclined over said rail whereby to interlock said rail with said anchorage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,212,968 Lively Jan. 16, 1917 1,358,951 Helmich NOV. 16, 1920 2,044,703 Kline June 16, 1936 2,564,123 Melges Aug. 14, 1951 2,618,124 Holsten Nov. 18, 1952 

